How “Bump-Outs” Will Make North Loop Walking Safer
By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood Association
While many North Loop streets are being torn up and reconstructed to make things better for drivers in the neighborhood, a second project is now underway to improve pedestrian safety.
Sixteen locations will have their curbs extended out into the streets this summer so pedestrians can get a better vantage point around parked cars and be more visible to approaching drivers.
The so-called “bump-outs” will be primarily along 1st Street and 2nd Street between 1st Avenue and 10th Avenue. To create them, city crews first have to move utilities and storm drains as well as many poles and fire hydrants.
The project, which should be completed this fall, also includes replacing the traffic signal at 10th Avenue and 2nd Street with new countdown timers for pedestrians. An overhead signal at 8th Avenue and 2nd Street will be upgraded. And a number of intersections will be altered to better meet ADA standards.